May pickups

[Runscott]

• Stromsburg, Nebraska cabinet - I like all the hats
• Walter Johnson photo used for autographs - photographer unknown
• Team Studio portrait

[Topnotchsy]

I'm relatively new to these boards as my collection has shifted from modern towards vintage. I've found myself targeting some of the more obscure events in baseball history, particularly when it involves something beyond regular games. I recently picked up this baseball, signed by the 1931 team that went to Japan. I'm trying to figure out who the baseball was presented to, but having just the initials makes it tough...

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by Topnotchsy

I'm relatively new to these boards as my collection has shifted from modern towards vintage. I've found myself targeting some of the more obscure events in baseball history, particularly when it involves something beyond regular games. I recently picked up this baseball, signed by the 1931 team that went to Japan. I'm trying to figure out who the baseball was presented to, but having just the initials makes it tough...

I'm thinking it could be this guy. Maybe, maybe not, but it's at least something to check:

http://sites.davidson.edu/archives/e...lmers-davidson

[GrayGhost]

Could be him, but why?

As an aside, what an awesome ball. Congrats on it.

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by GrayGhost

Could be him, but why?

As an aside, what an awesome ball. Congrats on it.

He came from a family that had some high ranking military men, had a college named after his family, so it wouldn't be a stretch to think he would be in a position to get the ball or have a family member get it for him. Maybe not, but like I said, it's a place to start.

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by mr2686

He came from a family that had some high ranking military men, had a college named after his family, so it wouldn't be a stretch to think he would be in a position to get the ball or have a family member get it for him. Maybe not, but like I said, it's a place to start.

I definitely appreciate the help. I wish there was some sort of data base where one can search based on initials since I image there's a good chance that they used the initials simply to save space and not because he went by those initials generally.

My gut feeling is that the individual was somehow involved with the team since the inscriptions makes it seems like an "official" presentation rather than signing for a random person.

I wonder if there is some way to tell whose handwriting it is...

It looks like Chalmers Gaston Davidson was born in 1907, so he would have only been around 24 in 1931. I'll need to look deeper to see if there's any connection but have not seen anything just yet.

Charles Grant Davidson was a painter, but since he died in 1902 it seems unlikely it was for him.

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by Topnotchsy

I definitely appreciate the help. I wish there was some sort of data base where one can search based on initials since I image there's a good chance that they used the initials simply to save space and not because he went by those initials generally.

My gut feeling is that the individual was somehow involved with the team since the inscriptions makes it seems like an "official" presentation rather than signing for a random person.

I wonder if there is some way to tell whose handwriting it is...

It looks like Chalmers Gaston Davidson was born in 1907, so he would have only been around 24 in 1931. I'll need to look deeper to see if there's any connection but have not seen anything just yet.

Charles Grant Davidson was a painter, but since he died in 1902 it seems unlikely it was for him.

It appears there were actually two artists named Charles Grant Davidson (seems odd...) and one died in 1945. I have looked for a connection to any of the players but have not found one yet...

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by Runscott

• Stromsburg, Nebraska cabinet - I like all the hats
• Walter Johnson photo used for autographs - photographer unknown
• Team Studio portrait

That Stromsburg photo is awesome...can you read what it says on the bag the African American player is holding?

Guy W. Green the famous originator of the Nebraska Indians was from Stromsburg and played for them...although I do not see him in this photo. If I did I'd be PM'ing you.

[Runscott]

It's not letters - it's just cracks like Alligator leather. Here are four more Nebraska postcards I recently picked up.

[Bugsy]

Pretty happy with this one. It is a Buzz Arlett game used bat. This is the biggest bat I have ever held. It is 35" and 46 ounces. He was a switch hitter, so I was also happy to see that both sides of the barrel have grain separation and deep lace impressions. I also found an article from 1931 that gave a few details about Arlett's bats. The dimensions and weight match up perfectly. I have only seen one other Arlett gamer before, so this is a pretty cool find.

For anyone who doesn't know, he was considered the Babe Ruth of the minor leagues and was the minor league home run king for many years. He was good enough to play in the Bigs (he did play with the Phillies in 1931), but preferred to stay out West. He spent most of his career with the Oakland Oaks, but also played for the Baltimore Orioles and Minneapolis Millers.

[Joe_G.]

I have had these items for several weeks (Hunt's Boston Auction of Kid Nichols items), but finally getting around to posting some of them. I had interest in all the items relating to Charlie Bennett, a dear friend of the Kid Nichols family. The first item is a letter from Kid Nichol's wife, Jennie Nichols, to Mrs. Bennett upon hearing about his career ending accident. Kid Nichols and family were in San Francisco as he played winter ball. The letter reads as follows:

San Francisco, Cal
Jan 11 1894
My Dear Mrs. Bennett

I saw the account in the San Francisco paper that Mr. Bennett got two legs cut off and it made me sick when I heard it. I do hope he will get all right. Please tell us all about it, how he is getting along, and telegraph us if he is dangerous so we will come home just as soon as we can. Mrs. McCarty (Tommy McCarthy’s wife) read it in the paper and saw it, brought it up to me. Charlie (Kid Nichols), Alice (Kid Nichols’s daughter) and I (Jennie, Kid Nichols’s wife) feel awful bad and I know how you feel. Charlie (Kid Nichols) is going to try and get someone to pitch in his place so we can go home or wherever you are write or telegraph us as soon as you can. I just heard about poor Mr. Bennett this morning and I am trying to write to you but I feel so bad I don’t know what to say, well all I can tell you is to try and keep up and we will try and do all we can for you both. Well I will close for this time hoping Mrs. B is getting along all right. From your loving friend Jennie (Kid Nichols’s wife). Charlie (Kid Nichols) sends regards to you both and Alice (Kid Nichols’s daughter) sends kisses to her dear uncle B and auntie B.

Address Hotel Mirabeau

There were also a couple cabinets of Charlie and perhaps of most interest is a program from the tribute game played in Bennett's honor. The contents are very interesting. The benefit game players would include most of the Boston team, Heavy Weight boxing champion James Corbett and a talented team of college players, a couple of which would later play in the majors. I also have an ticket to this game that I purchased ~5yrs ago from the Jack & Eddie Boyle estate (posted ticket scan as well).

[Jay Wolt]

Joe, those are fantastic pieces, love the ticket

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Jay Wolt

Joe, those are fantastic pieces, love the ticket

I'll second what Jay said. I also love the ticket. Too cool!

This is really a terrific collection of Charlie Bennett items.
These would seemingly be some of the only known examples in the hobby due to their age and obscurity.